The Wichita Years
This section is devoted to the years Bob spent as a coach in Wichita KS from 1950 thru 1964 when he moved to Lawrence KS to become Head Track and Field Coach at the University of Kansas.
Bob’s most notable athlete in coaching both in Wichita and at KU was Jim Ryun. Bob was Ryun’s coach at Wichita High School East where Ryun set the U.S. national high school record for the mile. His record stood 34 years. Ryun subsequently became the greatest middle distance runner in the world. He was a member of two US Olympic teams, and he was world record holder in the mile, 1,500 meters, 800 meters and 880 yards,
Another of Bob’s athletes in Wichita was swimmer Jeff Ferrall. While Bob was coaching him at Wichita High School East, Jeff broke the national high school record for the 220 yard freestyle. He subsequently became national and world record holder and Olympic champion. He is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
In Wichita, Bob also was swimming coach from Age 8 and at Wichita High School East was the late Richard Quick. Richard became the head swimming coach at Auburn University, women’s coach at Stanford University and four time head US Olympic swimming coach. Richard is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
As a high school coach, Bob’s record for state championship teams in swimming, cross country, and track and field is the best of any coach in the history of Kansas.
Bob’s most notable athlete in coaching both in Wichita and at KU was Jim Ryun. Bob was Ryun’s coach at Wichita High School East where Ryun set the U.S. national high school record for the mile. His record stood 34 years. Ryun subsequently became the greatest middle distance runner in the world. He was a member of two US Olympic teams, and he was world record holder in the mile, 1,500 meters, 800 meters and 880 yards,
Another of Bob’s athletes in Wichita was swimmer Jeff Ferrall. While Bob was coaching him at Wichita High School East, Jeff broke the national high school record for the 220 yard freestyle. He subsequently became national and world record holder and Olympic champion. He is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
In Wichita, Bob also was swimming coach from Age 8 and at Wichita High School East was the late Richard Quick. Richard became the head swimming coach at Auburn University, women’s coach at Stanford University and four time head US Olympic swimming coach. Richard is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
As a high school coach, Bob’s record for state championship teams in swimming, cross country, and track and field is the best of any coach in the history of Kansas.
Jim Ryun
Jeff Ferrall
Richard Quick
Wichita High School East
Bob Timmons’ record for producing state championship teams in swimming, cross country, and track and field remains best of any high school coach in the history of Kansas.
Bob’s Teams At Wichita High School East
Swimming
State Championships: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965
Cross Country
State Championships: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1964
Track and Field
State Championships: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964
Wichita Swim Club
The Early Years
Bob Timmons started the Wichita Swim Club in 1954 along with four parents of his swimmers. They were Walter Quick, John Van Slyke Sr., Bob Walters and later, John Darrah. Before then, Bob coached is young swimmers on an informal basis at the Senaca pool and at the YMCA during the winter months.
Under Bob’s direction, the Wichita Swim Club grew rapidly. During the late 1950s and 1960s, WSC became one of the dominant programs in the AAU. Alumni of the Wichita Swim Club include many high school and NCAA All Americas, plus national champions, members of U.S. Olympic teams, and an Olympic Champion. Two alumni are members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Today in 2021 and nearly 70 years later, the Wichita Swim Club continues to exist and thrive.
Under Bob’s direction, the Wichita Swim Club grew rapidly. During the late 1950s and 1960s, WSC became one of the dominant programs in the AAU. Alumni of the Wichita Swim Club include many high school and NCAA All Americas, plus national champions, members of U.S. Olympic teams, and an Olympic Champion. Two alumni are members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Today in 2021 and nearly 70 years later, the Wichita Swim Club continues to exist and thrive.
College Hill Pool
One of the places Bob got his start in swimming was at College Hill pool in Wichita in 1950.
It was at this tiny pool that three of his original group of swimmers in the Wichita Swim Club first met Bob Timmons. They were John Hutchinson, Tom Hutchinson, and John Van Slyke Jr. Bob taught them how to swim.
He then persuaded them that it would be “fun” to see who could swim from one end of College Hill pool to the other and see who could get their first. The rest is history.
It was at this tiny pool that three of his original group of swimmers in the Wichita Swim Club first met Bob Timmons. They were John Hutchinson, Tom Hutchinson, and John Van Slyke Jr. Bob taught them how to swim.
He then persuaded them that it would be “fun” to see who could swim from one end of College Hill pool to the other and see who could get their first. The rest is history.
